Politico reports: As Donald Trump heads to Florida this weekend to give a campaign-style rally, Mitch McConnell made one more plea to the Republican president: Try to stay on message. The Senate majority has been trying for months — unsuccessfully — to convince Trump to adapt McConnell’s own disciplined style. The Kentucky Republican says that Trump’s White House is pursuing …

The Washington Post reports: Scott Pruitt, who as Oklahoma’s attorney general spent years suing the Environmental Protection Agency over its efforts to regulate various forms of pollution, was confirmed Friday as the agency’s next administrator. Pruitt cleared the Senate by a vote of 52-46, winning support from two Democrats, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota. …

Finland’s national broadcaster reports: Finnish MPs defeated a bill to strike down same-sex marriage on February 17. Opposition to the proposal was strong, as 120 parliamentarians voted against it, with 48 in support. Two members of parliament voted absent and 29 MPs did not cast a vote. A Finnish movement called Aito avioliitto (True Marriage) that seeks to uphold marriage …

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports: A 22-year St. Louis County police veteran who was once picked to become the department’s liaison to the gay community is now suing the department for discrimination. In a lawsuit filed Jan. 10, Sgt. Keith Wildhaber claims a former St. Louis County Police Board member told him to “tone down your gayness” if he ever …

The New York Times reports: A federal appeals court cleared the way on Thursday for Florida doctors to talk to their patients about gun safety, overturning a 2011 law that pitted medical providers against the state’s powerful gun lobby. In its 10-to-1 ruling, the full panel of the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit concluded that …

Michigan Live reports: A judge dismissed Jenison Bible Church’s lawsuit against a gay man who displayed a sign implying the church supported same-sex marriage. Daniel VanderLey asked area churches to take a public stand against Bradlee Dean, an advocate for traditional marriage, who was speaking at a “God and Country” event at Jenison Center for the Arts. VanderLey, who contended …

Via Reuters: The Trump administration is considering mobilizing as many as 100,000 National Guard troops to round up non-citizens who are in the country illegally, the Associated Press said in a tweet on Friday without citing a source. UPDATE: From the Associated Press. The Trump administration is considering a proposal to mobilize as many as 100,000 National Guard troops to …

CNBC reports: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says President Donald Trump made him order meatloaf when they dined together at the White House this week. Christie and his wife, Mary Pat, joined Trump at the White House on Tuesday. The Republican governor said while hosting a New York sports talk radio show Thursday that Trump pointed out the menu and …

Reuters reports: Samsung Group chief Jay Y. Lee was arrested on Friday over his alleged role in a corruption scandal rocking the highest levels of power in South Korea, dealing a fresh blow to the technology giant and standard-bearer for Asia’s fourth-largest economy. The special prosecutor’s office accuses Lee of bribing a close friend of President Park Geun-hye to gain …

Politico reports: President Donald Trump praised himself on Friday for his Thursday battle with reporters — a more-than-hour-long meandering spectacle that one headline dubbed a “news conference for the ages.” Trump used his favorite social media platform to thank supporters who he said made “nice statements” about the speech and to take more aim at the press. “Thank you for …

The Orlando Sentinel reports: An Ocala man made at least 10 explosive devices in hopes of blowing up Targets along the East Coast in an elaborate and deadly scheme to buy cheap stocks of the company, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Mark Charles Barnett, 48, was charged with possession or a possession of a destructive device affecting commerce …

Raw Story reports: MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski were stunned — and terrified — by what they saw Thursday during President Donald Trump’s bizarre and vapid news conference. “That would have been a really funny hour or so of television if he weren’t president of the United States,” Scarborough said. “It was one of the most chaotic, rambling press …

The Hill reports: A growing number of Democrats are openly questioning President Trump’s mental health. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) in a floor speech this week called for a review of the Constitution’s procedures for removing a president. He warned the 25th Amendment of the Constitution falls short when it comes to mental or emotional fitness for office. Sen. Al Franken …

Entertainment Weekly recaps: “It’s kind of hard to characterize the press conference,” the host admitted in a clip from Thursday’s episode. “Words fail me.” He wasn’t the only one; the show then jumped to a clip of a Fox News anchor saying, “Well, alrighty then,” when Trump finished speaking. Colbert went on, “He started off by defending the rough start …

CNN reports: The FBI is not expected to pursue any charges against former national security adviser Michael Flynn regarding a phone call with Russia’s ambassador, barring new information that changes what they know, law enforcement officials told CNN Thursday. Flynn was fired by President Donald Trump earlier this week after it was revealed that he withheld information from Vice President …

The Week reports: President Donald Trump praised Fox News during his combative press conference Thursday, but he certainly would not have liked what he saw if he turned on his TV afterward. Fox News’ Shep Smith did not hold back when tearing into the president after the presser: “It’s crazy what we’re watching everyday,” Smith said. “It’s absolutely crazy. [Trump] …

Mediaite reports: President Trump has already chosen his replacement for Michael Flynn as National Security Advisor, but his pick has reportedly declined the offer. Trump had settled on Vice Admiral Robert Harward, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, for the position, but according to the Financial Times, Harward has turned down the president’s offer. And CBS News has independently confirmed the …

AdWeek reports: The Ad Council’s original Emmy-winning “Love Has No Labels” skeletons campaign was filmed on Valentine’s Day in 2015, and rolled out a few weeks later. Two years on, we have R/GA’s latest installment in the acclaimed series celebrating inclusiveness and diversity—this one rolling out on Valentine’s Day, having been filmed at the NFL Pro Bowl in January. The …

The Associated Press reports: President Donald Trump’s administration said in court documents on Thursday it does not want a larger appellate panel to review a ruling keeping its travel ban on hold and will instead replace the ban. “In so doing, the president will clear the way for immediately protecting the country rather than pursuing further, potentially time-consuming litigation,” the …

This might be their most ridiculous attack yet. Via email: Taco Bell is following a trend in crude commercials. While a few fast food restaurants are cleaning up their ads, Taco Bell decided to air a commercial that includes foul language. The newest Taco Bell commercial says, “When your morning is hell, just go to Taco Bell.” They should not …